Marine from Waseca killed in Afghanistan

WASECA – A Marine from the southern Minnesota city of Waseca was killed in Afghanistan when a suicide bomber attacked his convoy, relatives said.

Lance Cpl. Caleb Erickson, 20, was the gunner in the last truck of the convoy when it was attacked Friday, his father and sister said Saturday. He was airlifted to a medical facility, where he was pronounced dead. No one else in the convoy suffered life-threatening injuries, they said.

Erickson was a 2012 graduate of Waseca High School, where he was a starter on the football team. He was also a wrestler. He joined the Marines immediately after high school. His father, Barry Erickson was informed of his son’s death by three Marines who came to his home.

“He had a mindset to be a Marine since he was age 16,” his father told the Star Tribune of Minneapolis. “He liked the opportunity and the physical challenge. . He loved the idea of serving. My dad served in World War II.”

Caleb Erickson spoke with his father telephone a week ago.

“He sounded a little tired, but he said, ‘I’m doing what I want to be doing,’” the father said.

The Marine is survived by his father, his mother, Karla Erickson, and a sister, Rue Erickson.

“He was known for always having a smile on his face and being happy,” Rue Erickson told The Free Press of Mankato. “He always lightened everybody’s moods.”

His football teammate, Jared Krassin, said his friend gave his whole heart to everything he did.

“All through — we sat next to each other in homeroom — he’d be studying for the Marines. He wanted to be in the Marines so bad and he did it. I don’t think he had any regrets at all,” Krassin said.

Caleb Erickson was deployed to Afghanistan last fall and was expected to return to the U.S. in May.

“We always thought he’d be back,” Krassin told KEYC-TV. “We never thought anything like this would happen to Caleb. It’s such a small town. I guess it really hits.”

His father said that the outpouring of support and sympathy from the community has been overwhelming.

“All of his buddies were at the house today,” Barry Erickson said. “There’s been telephone calls, people have been bringing food, and there have been good words all over Facebook.”